HOS guidance

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published revisions to its 1997 guidance about hours of service. The revisions are intended to help drivers implement correctly the July 1 changes regarding taking mandatory breaks every eight hours on duty.

In short, the clarified guidance states conditions that must be met to log meal and other routine stops made during on-duty hours as off-duty break time:

“The driver is relieved of all duty and responsibility for the care and custody of the vehicle, its accessories, and any cargo or passengers it may be carrying.

During the stop, and for the duration of the stop, the driver must be at liberty to pursue activities of his/her own choosing.”

To see the full text and more details on the clarified guidance, click this link to the revised guidance or check the Federal Register, Doc. 2013-16687.